Belonging Gives Rest

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15:19 

“And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ” Romans 1:6

At our core, we long for belonging. This longing transcends culture, status, and age; it’s woven into our very being.  Yet Scripture tells us that we do not belong to this world.  And when we seek to belong in the world – through people, subcultures, niches, or worldly pursuits – we will inevitably find them insufficient to fulfill our longings.  Why?  Because first and foremost, we were created to belong to Christ. In Christ. With Christ. 

Once we settle this truth deep in our hearts and minds – that our ultimate place of belonging is in Christ, it changes everything.  We can stop searching for fulfillment, validation, assurance, identity, and affirmation in anything and everything.  We can simply abide in Christ and be His beloved child, wherever we are, whoever we are with.  In Christ, we find all we need.  Our restless souls can finally be at peace, secure in being known, seen, and loved by Him. The search is over.  In Him we find rest.

Belonging Leads to Fruitfulness

This abiding in Christ is not just a comforting thought; it is essential to our fruitfulness. 

“So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, so that we might bear fruit for God.” Romans 7:4

Our ability to bear fruit stems directly from our belonging to Christ and how much we grasp that.  We are supernaturally and powerfully connected to others when we are in Christ.  Secure in His love, we are free to cultivate deep, authentic relationships with others, not out of need but from the overflow of Christ’s love within us.  Then together in healthy, God-driven relationships, we bear fruit for Him.   

His love also compels us to share it with others who don’t have it yet – helping them discover the soul-rest that belonging to Jesus provides.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Gal 5:22-25

Knowing that Christ satisfies our deepest desires and that our lives are His, brings profound peace.  It frees us from the discontentment that drives much of the world.   We truly are set apart from the world when we are abiding in Christ.  And when we are walking by His Spirit, we are not walking by the flesh!

Throughout all of Scripture and history, we see man’s quest for belonging and that it is met only in Jesus.  All of us, like sheep, have gone astray.  We have turned to our own way. But there is no need to wander anymore.   The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all – so we can come home in His heart.   We belong!  We know where our resting place is.   This truth is the key to living a life that glorifies Him.

Reflection:

So today ask yourself:  Am I living from a place of deep belonging, no matter where God has placed me?  Have I settled in my heart and mind that I belong to Him, and therefore I don’t need to strive or hungrily seek for belonging elsewhere?  Do I fully believe I belong to Him?   

Encouragement:

And if you are convinced that you belong to Him, may you be long in His presence, lingering as much as you can in His love.